lead the way, along with folks like john mccain and others, to restore our diplomatic ties with vietnam. when he returned to the country where he and so many others had fought so long ago, it sent a powerful message of progress and of healing. over these many years, john's earned the respect and confidence of leaders around the world. he is not going to need a lot of on-the-job training. he has earned the respect and trust of his senate colleagues, democrats and republicans. i think it's fair to say that few individuals know as many presidents and prime ministers or grasp our foreign policies as firmly as john kerry. and this makes him a perfect choice to guide american diplomacy in the years ahead. on a personal level, john has been a great friend. i've appreciated john's partnership in helping to advance so many of my foreign policy priorities, including the ratification of the new start treaty. i've called on his talents and diplomatic skills on several occasions on complex challenges from sudan in south sudan to the situation in afghanistan. and each time he has been exemplary. of c